From: Drive
BARRY PARK
Land Rover’s smallest Defender, the short-wheelbase 90, will return early next year.
Land Rover’s nuggety ‘‘90’’, the short-wheelbase version of the rugged Defender off-roader, will go back on sale in Australia early next year.
The Defender 90 fell out of showrooms in mid-2006 after sales slipped into a steady decline. When an updated version of the iconic off-roader was released in 2007, only the long-wheelbase 110 station wagon, crew cab and ute, and 130 crew cab and ute (the numbers refer to the length of the wheelbase in inches) were available.
But now the Degender 90, which features shorter overhangs front and rear (for steeper entry and departure angles) than the longer versions that make it a lot more versatile in the bush, will rejoin the line-up.
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Land Rover Defender 90
The 90 will get the same six-speed manual gearbox as the longer wheelbase versions, replacing the five-speeder used in the previous generation. It will also get the same 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder generating a modest 90kW of power as the old version, although this time around it will produce 360Nm of peak torque instead of the old version’s 300Nm.
Fuel economy for the shorter version is expected to come in at about 10.0 litres per 100 kilometres, about 1.0L/100km less than the bigger models.
Land Rover Australia spokesman Guido Schenken said the smaller Defender did not go on sale when the longer versions were updated in 2007 because the 90 would have cost more than the longer-wheelbase 110.
‘‘[Bringing back the 90] was always on the plan. With the newer engine and air-conditioning it’s a lot more of a viable product,’’ Schenken said.
‘‘The previous one was pretty expensive to make, but the car is now made in the UK rather than South Africa and we can do it cheaper.’’
The Defender 90 is already on sale for $44,990 plus on-road and dealer costs, compared with $48,990 plus on-road and dealer costs for the 110 station wagon, although the first deliveries arrive next year. Just before it fell out of Australian showrooms, the Defender 90 was priced from $39,950.
The new one still won’t get stability control, but will come with anti-lock brakes that can also stop wheels with limited traction from spinning, anti-stall engine management, and a special function that will allow the driver to start the Defender in first gear in low range — meaning the driver doesn’t necessarily need to be seated in the vehicle to drive it.
Standard features are expected to include single-CD audio, air conditioning, rubber floor mats, electric front windows, power steering, and four cloth seats including two full-sized rear seats.
Land Rover has said that the Defender’s future is certain until about 2012-13, after which tough European emissions and safety laws will force the British car maker to either completely redesign the vehicle, limit sales to markets outside Europe, or scrap it altogether.
‘‘At the moment we sell about 25,000 [Defenders] worldwide, and for it to be viable to build an all-new Defender we would have to sell 50,000 units worldwide a year,’’ Schenken said.
The Land Rover Adventure Association of Ontario was started by several keen Land Rover owners in the Toronto area, with the shared enthusiasm of off-roading and adventure traveling. Various off-road outings are scheduled during the year, which range from very difficult to easy and sometimes a surprise! Typically the outings are twice a month usually a day trip or over night with the co-ordination of the club members. In addition, there are more organized events such as participating with other clubs, expeditions into Northern Ontario and the annual fall picnic.
